**Yaxel Lendeborg Chooses Michigan Over NBA Draft, Aims for Big Ten Glory**

The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team has just secured a significant boost to their roster for the 2025-26 season. Yaxel Lendeborg, who had been under consideration for the NBA Draft, announced on Tuesday that he would withdraw his name and instead play for Michigan next season. This decision marks a major win for the Wolverines, as Lendeborg stands out as the No. 1 player in the 247Sports' 2025 transfer portal rankings.

Last season, Lendeborg delivered an impressive performance at Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), averaging 17.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. These statistics made him the only Division-I player to meet those benchmarks for the 2024-25 season, catching the attention of NBA scouts. Despite projections placing him as a late first-round pick—according to ESPN, The Ringer, Yahoo Sports, and Sports Illustrated—Lendeborg chose to hone his skills further at the collegiate level.

Lendeborg's unique blend of length, ball-handling skills, and defensive capabilities makes him an attractive prospect for NBA teams. However, some scouts hesitated due to the level of competition he faced at UAB. According to Rookie Scale's consensus big board, he was one of only four top-60 prospects who did not play in a high-major conference or overseas during the past season.

His decision to play for Michigan could mirror the path taken by Danny Wolf, another versatile forward who improved his draft stock significantly while at Ann Arbor. Wolf and Lendeborg were standout players last season, both being 6-foot-9 or taller and averaging at least 13.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Wolf's rise to becoming a top-20 NBA Draft prospect serves as a potential blueprint for Lendeborg.

Lendeborg has set ambitious goals for his upcoming tenure with the Wolverines. In an interview with Andy Katz of the Big Ten Network, he expressed his desire to win the Big Ten Player of the Year award and lead Michigan to the Final Four. "If I don't achieve at least these, it will be a bad year for me," Lendeborg stated.

Lendeborg revealed that he had felt torn between pursuing an immediate NBA career and returning to college basketball, leaning slightly toward Michigan. His experience during the visit to Ann Arbor heavily influenced his decision. "The visit was amazing, and I loved it. Playing for Michigan felt right," he admitted.

With Lendeborg's commitment, Michigan now boasts the No. 2 transfer portal recruiting class and is seen as a preseason top-five team, with strong aspirations for a national title. The addition of such a talented player undoubtedly strengthens Michigan’s roster, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.